TOKYO — A strong earthquake Friday struck the same Japanese coast devastated by last year’s massive quake and tsunami, generating small waves but no immediate reports of heavy damage. Several people along the northeastern coast were reportedly injured and buildings in Tokyo and elsewhere swayed for several minutes.

The earthquake had a preliminary magnitude of 7.3 and struck in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Miyagi prefecture at 5:18 p.m. (0818 GMT), the Japan Meteorological Agency said. The epicentre was 10 kilometres beneath the seabed and 240 kilometres offshore.

The area was shaken by repeated, smaller aftershocks, the agency said.

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After the quake, authorities issued a warning that a tsunami potentially as high as 2 metres (2.2 yards) could hit. Sirens whooped along the coast as people ran for higher ground.